Federal Member for Hotham Clare O’Neil joined Deputy Leader of the Opposition Tanya Plibersek today at the East Bentleigh Childcare Centre to shine a light on the Abbott Government’s cuts to child care.

Despite promising no cuts to education, the Abbott Government has announced over $1 billion of cuts from the child care support Australian families rely on every day.

Legislation introduced by the Abbott Government, currently before the Parliament, has the sole purpose of cutting the Child Care Benefit which more than 3000 families in Hotham rely on.

“The Abbott Government’s cuts to child care support will impact local families on as little as $42,000 per year,” Ms O’Neil said.

“Recent reports show that child care costs are having the biggest impact on low and middle-income families – exactly the same people these cuts will hit the hardest.”

No government has ever before moved to cut or freeze the means-tested Child Care Benefit, and 80 per cent of families who receive child care assistance rely on Child Care Benefit support.

“Tony Abbott has the wrong priorities: he is cutting existing practical support for low and middle-income families, at the same time as arguing for $50,000 Paid Parental Leave payments for high income earners,” Ms Plibersek said.

“Just like the rest of his cruel and unfair budget – these child care cuts will hit those who can least afford it.”

Hotham residents can take a stand against Tony Abbott’s targeted child care cuts by signing the petition here, which already has over 25000 signatures: